New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is returning to North Carolina to help Pat McCrory with his effort to put the Executive Mansion in Republican hands for the first time in 20 years.

Christie was slated to speak at a rally for McCrory on Thursday afternoon at Catawba College in Salisbury, where the former Charlotte mayor got his degree. Several hundred people were expected to attend the free event. Christie also will attend a private McCrory fundraiser at a Charlotte home Thursday evening.